Vestibule-diaphragm for railway-cars.



G. H. SHERWOOD.

VESTIBULE DIAPHRAGM FOR RAILWAY CARS,

APPLICATION FILED DEC.29. 1914.

l 9 1 %3,?3% Patented June 22, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

G. H. SHERWOOD.

VESTIBULE DIAPHRAGM FOR RAILWAY CARS APPLICATION FILED 050.29. 1914.

L1%& ?$%W Patented June 22, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. MSW J Z0 14 A .9 Z\ I -3 12 "Z3 Z3 Inventor enoaen H. snniawoon, OF DENVEZR, COLORADO.

VESTIBULE-DIAPHRAGIVI FOR RAILWAY-CARS,

iaarai.

Application filed December 29; 1914. Serial No. 879,503.

To aZZ whm it may concern."

Be it known that I, Gnonen H; SHERWOOD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in the county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful VestibuleDiaphragm for Railway-Cars, of

ISIS which the followingis a specification.

The present invention appertains to vestie bule diaphragms for railway cars, and aims to provide a novel and improved equipment of that character for passenger cars.

This invention aims to provide a vestibule diaphragm constructed chiefly of sheet metal, whereby the same will be durable and substantial, as well as being capable of standing greatwear andtear, it being well known that the fabric diaphragms nowin use are thesource of trouble in numerous respects, which need not be itemized at length.

AS a more specific object, the invention aims to provide the top or overhead portion of the diaphragm with means for catching and discharging the cinders thrown up by the locomotive,.whereby thecinders will not accumulate within the folds or valleys of the top of the diaphragm, as would be liable to clog the same or impair its action.

It is also within thescope of the invention, to provide a sheet metal diaphragm which. is comparatively simple, non-encumbering and. inexpensive in construction, which will adjust itself to accommodate the relative motions of the adjacent cars, and whichwill be thoroughly practical and eficient in use.

With the foregoing and other objectsin view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the com-. -b1nat1on and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention'herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation ofthe appliance as attached to the end of a passenger car. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmental view in section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the device, one ofthe curtains being removed. Fig. 4 is a fragmentalwertical section taken on the line 47-4: oil-Fig.3.

i Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 2a, 1915.

phragm which is of arch-like form, comprises the bellows sides 1, and the bellows top 2, which are' attached to the end of the car 3, and the diaphragm face plate 4, so as to enable the diaphragm face plate'4: to move relatlve to the car, as usual. The bellows sldes 1 are each constructed of sheet metal, and to; this end, each of the sides embodies a plurality or series of upright panels or plates 5, which have their edges formed with alining hlnge butts 6, through, which vertical hinge rods 7 are engaged, to hinge the panels 5 together. The end panels 5 are lunged to the face plate 4: and the end of the car'body 3. The bellows top 2 also comprises a series of sheet metal panels or plates 8' which are disposed horizontally, and the adjacent upper edges of which are formed with alining hinge butts 9, through which gutters 11, the lower edges of the panels 8 and the edges of the channels being formed with alining butts 12, through which hinge rods 13 are engaged, to hingedly connect the lower edges of the panels 8, through the medium of'the channels 11, and whereby the i channels 11 will be, disposed at the bottoms of the valleys between the panels 8. The

endmost panels 8 are hinged to the end of the car body 3 and the diaphragm face plate 4.

The panels or plates of the sides and top "are preferably similar in number, whereby the bellows sides and top will enable the dia- .phragm to expand and contract in the manner of'an accordion, for permitting the diaphragm to accommodate the movements of the adjacent cars. 'The inner hinges of the sides 1 are preferably disposed immediately under the side edges of the top 2, or under the ends of the channels 11. The panels of each set are so hinged together as to provide a tight joint 'therebetween, and in order that the panels may jf'old snugly together, or swing into a straight line or fiat position when the diaphragm is completely extended.

Inorder to close the openings between the adjacent edgesof the sides and to of the diaphragm, curtains or aprons 14 0 leather, canvas or other suitable material are secured in any suitable manner to the under sides of the end portions of the panels 8, and hang .panels of the sides.

downwardly. over the outer sides of the The curtains or aprons 14 will fold .and unfold with the top panels 8, and the side panels 5 being moved outwardly and inwardly will carry the lower or free portions of the curtains or aprons 14 therewith.

From the foregoing,-it is believed that the advantages andattributes of the present appliance should be obvious, it being noted that the diaphragm is constructed chiefly of sheet metal, to resist wear and tear, and to render it more durable than the leather or fabric diaphragms now in use, which frequently become torn and injured.

The bottoms of thechannels 11 are preferably inclined, so that the cinders which drop between the panels 8 of the top 2, are caught by the channels 11 and then discharged over one side of the diaphragm, to

avoid the accumulation of the cinders between the panels 8, that might be liable to impair or prevent the proper folding thereof.

What is'claimed is: 1. In a vestibule diaphragm, a bellows top comprising panels having their upper .edges hinged together, and channels hingedly connecting the lower edges of the GEORGE H. SHERWOOD.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR G. LA MUNYON, JOHN DILLABOUGH. 

